Publishers Weekly
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To protect their kingdom from a deadly six-week-long Winter, two teen magicians rail against a Chosen One prophecy in this sizzling romantasy by previous collaborators Foody and Herman (All of Our Demise). Eighteen-year-old magicians Dom and Ellery must bond with a Living Wand—powerful artifacts that grant their chosen wielders access to high-level magic—if they hope to help protect Alderland against the devastating forces of the encroaching Winter. When Valmordion—the most feared Living Wand—awakens and bonds with Dom, the teen assumes the role of Alderland’s Chosen One, destined to subdue the Winter cataclysm like Valmordion’s wielders before him. Simultaneously, Ellery taps into an ancient Winter magic and inadvertently creates a Winter wand. Though Dom and Ellery are happy to team up against the Winter storms, the rest of Alderland is leery of Ellery’s mysterious Winter magic, especially as the cataclysm’s progression proves stronger and stranger than previous iterations. As attraction blossoms between the duo and disaster looms, they realize that the truth behind Winter—and their roles in defeating it—goes deeper than they anticipated. Via an assiduously detailed, lived-in world and fresh, unique magic system, the creators revitalize genre-typical tropes. Scintillating romance, stimulating action, and invigorating mystery elements ensure there’s something for everyone in this exhilarating offering. Main characters cue as white. Ages 13–up. Agents: (for Foody) Whitney Ross, High Line Literary; (for Herman) Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. (Nov.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Adventure, destiny, and romance intermingle in a stormy fantasy. Domenic Barrow and Ellery Caldwell (both cued white) are students at Alderland’s prestigious magic academy, where they’re training to defeat a once-in-a-century cataclysm. At first, it seems the two teens couldn’t be more different: Ellery is a model student, favored to become Alderland’s next Chosen One, the powerful magician bestowed with unique abilities to defend the nation. By contrast, Domenic is a flaky bad boy better known for sleeping around than for serious study. When unprecedented magic anoints them both as Chosen Ones, the two struggle to reconcile private insecurities with performative public personas. Domenic and Ellery are an appealing duo, each striving to live up to the impossible expectations of heroism while grappling with past traumas. Their growing connection gets a boost from sharp dialogue that pivots adroitly between flirty banter and soul-baring. When, after much yearning, a romance blossoms between the two, it’s tender and believable. The novel is strongest in the first half, where a taut balance of worldbuilding, action, and character growth creates irresistible stakes. The second half is less effective due to a series of plot switchbacks and reveals that some readers may find disjointed. Most, however, will remain heartily invested, rooting for the heroes’ romantic and magical triumphs all the way through to the heart-pounding conclusion. The supporting cast includes diversity in race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Fresh and compelling.(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

The sound of ice thawing is the catalyst for major change in Alderland. A legendary wand, called Valmordian, thaws from its icicle when Winter approaches, which means the Academy needs to find its wielder quickly. Ellery has been the star student at the Academy since she arrived a hero, having slain a winterghast when a storm destroyed her town. Domenic is last in his class and has all but given up on magic since the day the wand Syarthis unbonded in his classroom, killing classmates and forcing his best friend to bond with it in order to stop the carnage. Everyone expects Ellery to wield Valmordion, but the true surprise is when she creates Iskarius, the first Winter wand, and Dom is chosen by Valmordion. Ellery and Dom must fulfill the prophecy and stop the cataclysm, but what will fate force them to do? Although the story wanders for a while with red herrings, fans will still devour this work from two popular YA authors. A thrilling romantasy set in a world where the wand chooses the wizard, sure to engage fans of the popular subgenre.